Myrica hartwegii
Sierra sweet bay, Sierra Sweet Bay
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Family: Myricaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Myrica hartwegii (Sierra sweet bay) is a native California shrub in the Myricaceae family, recognized by Relict species representing the bayberry family in western North America, with main distribution in eastern North America.
Sierra sweet bay is a California native shrub found in northern and central Sierra Nevada in streambanks and moist yellow-pine forest habitats at elevations of 300 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces small whitish flowers in delicate clusters. Growing one to two meters tall with a dense, rounded form, it features widely oblanceolate leaves with rounded or obtuse tips. Its leaves are typically a deep green, approximately 3 to 8 centimeters long, with a distinctive sweet aromatic quality when crushed. The fruit appears as small round clusters, generally 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters in diameter, developing after flowering.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Relict species representing the bayberry family in western North America, with main distribution in eastern North America
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streambanks, moist places in foothills or low montane yellow-pine forest
Elevation: 300-1800 m
California counties: El Dorado, Madera, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Nevada
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Myrica hartwegii blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Heteromeles: Toyon is evergreen with toothed leaves; Myrica is deciduous with smooth-edged leaves; vs Salix: Willow has lance-shaped leaves and fuzzy catkins; Myrica has broader leaves and waxy fruits; vs Morella: Coastal Morella has glossy evergreen leaves; inland Myrica has dull deciduous leaves
Frequently asked questions
Is Myrica hartwegii native to California?
Yes. Myrica hartwegii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Myrica hartwegii bloom?
Myrica hartwegii blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Myrica hartwegii grow?
Myrica hartwegii occurs in El Dorado, Madera, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Nevada, at elevations of 300-1800 m.
What plant family does Myrica hartwegii belong to?
Myrica hartwegii is in the Myricaceae family, genus Myrica.
Is Myrica hartwegii rare or endangered?
Myrica hartwegii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.